Combined Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Daesh Weapons Depot in the Syrian region
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a joint strike against an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Islamic State group (IS), as stated by the UK's MoD.
The facility, located using intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just above Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a series of entry passages leading to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This operation shows our UK leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our partners, to stamp out any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary John Healey remarked.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of the group subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This action, to take out terrorist threats who endanger our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security domestically and powerful internationally."
Last December, the US military executed what it described as a "massive strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an ambush killed two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
